Creating a startup company or deploying a successful app in the digital music space can be daunting. There is a complex web of rights and legal requirements, and a seemingly infinite number of players. These obstacles may seem insurmountable, especially to a bootstrapped young company.

Several years ago, the Music Business Association recognized this information gap and created the Music Startup Academy. The event’s coursework was designed to provide an educational platform on the key topics of licensing, business development and technology to entrepreneurs at all levels.

Kicking off in April 2011 at NYC’s General Assembly, the Music Startup Academy has traveled to Atlanta, Austin, Boston, London, Los Angeles, Nashville, and San Francisco. Click here to see if we are planning an event in a city near you.

The Classes

The core curriculum of the Music Startup Academy centers around three classes that teach the key fundamentals that are critical to any music entrepreneur or exec at all levels of experience:

Label and Publishing BasicsExplains the economics of the music industry, including the licenses required for master recordings and songwriting.

Business DevelopmentThe “dos and don’ts” of content licensing, including best practices for honing a pitch, and insight into navigating around roadblocks.

Basic Technical OperationsAn overview of the music operations and various enterprise software systems and core procedures that any aspiring CEO or CTO must be aware of.

Additional classes may be added to a program depending on the duration of the program or the specific needs of the community in the city where the event is taking place. Please see the page of the particular event for more specifics.

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The Instructors

Instructors for the music startup academy are all bona-fide experts, currently employed in top positions at leading content companies, publishing, management, legal, marketing, and tech. They have taken time out of their busy professional schedules to offer a unique and valuable learning experience for attendees.